Pressing machine



Dec. 15, 1959 J. SILVERMAN PRESSING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 7,7608 5/ZVft/YIA ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 J.SILVERMAN PRESSING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1958 /8 A Z Q 40 3Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V E N TO R 7/7608 5/! VDP/VI/V QM Wa-JM ATTORNEY Dec.15, 1959 J. SILVERMAN 2,917,211

PRESSING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.4

'IJ III 1 til /111111. IIIII a6 Z JM ATTORNEY United States Patent O2,917,211 PRESS ING MACHINE Jacob Silverman, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Application March 10, 1958, Serial No. 720,350

14 Claims. (Cl. 2232) The present invention relates to a machine forpressing sheets, and particularly pouch-like composite sheets such asare used as flaps and cuffs for the pockets of coats, jackets and thelike.

Pocket flaps usually comprise upper and lower sheets of material securedtogether at three sides to define a pouch and adapted to be securedalong their fourth side to the garment with which they are used. In thepast these flaps have been pressed by placing them on a die which holdsthem taut, then pressing the flap while it is on the die through theapplication thereto of heat and pressure, often accompanied by steam,and thereafter removing the flap from the die. There are certaindrawbacks involved in this prior art procedure which have been toleratedbecause they were thought to be unavoidable. It is diflicult and timeconsuming to slide the pouch-like flap onto the die and to arrange itthereon in proper position to be pressed. Removal of the flap from thedie involves the application of appreciable force which often leads todestruction or deterioration of the results of the pressing operation.Unless different dies are provided or the size of the die is adjustedfor each different size of flap, even if the size difference is verysmall, the eflicacy of the pressing operation is minimized, since it isimportant that the flap be pressed in a tautly stretched condition, andthe die is relied upon to produce thatcondition. Also, because the diesthemselves are subjected to the heat of the pressing operation, whichusually lasts for an appreciable period of time, they tend tobecomequite hot after a few pressings, and this makes for considerabledifficulty on the part of the operator in removing pressed flapstherefrom and placing new flaps thereupon. Moreover, since the die mustbe present at the pressing station while pressing takes place, nopressing can occur while a flap is being placed upon or removed from thedie, and thus theoutput of a givenmachine in terms of the number ofpressed flaps which can be produced in a given period of time is greatlylimited.

The pressing machine of the present invention avoids all of thesedrawbacks, and does so by means of a structure which is simple,inexpensive, and substantially foolproof.

In the machine of the present invention the die is utilized to stretchthe flap taut and to convey it to the pressing station. However, oncethe flap has reached the pressing station the die is withdrawntherefrom, and thereafter the flap is pressed. Thus the die is notsubjected to the heat involved in the pressing operation and it is,moreover, available during the time that the pressing operation takesplace for the applicationthereto of a new flap. The insertion of eachnew flap into the pressing station ejects the previously pressed flaptherefrom. Thus the removal of the flap from the die and the ejection ofthe flap from the pressing station are entirely automatic, and all theoperator need do is apply new flaps tothe die as they areneeded, andthis, it will be noted, in an extremely eflicient manner from aproduction time point of view.

To accomplish these results, and to facilitate theplac- See ing of theflap thereon, the die is of variable size, and will adapt itselfwithin'limits to flaps of different sizes without requiring adjustment.A handle is provided to control the size of the die. The die isconverted to its smaller size, the flap is placed thereon, this being aneasy operation because the die is then smaller than the flap, and thedie is then manually converted to its larger size, in which it holds theflap taut. The die, with the flap thereon, is then moved to the pressingstation, where the flap is frictionally gripped. Reconversion 'of thedie to its smaller size results in the die engaging the flap with muchless force than does the pressing station. Accordingly, the die may beWithdrawn, the flap will remain in the pressing station, and thepressing operation can then take place, the die then being free for theapplication thereto of a new flap while the pressing of the precedingflap occurs.

While the conversion of the die from its large to its small size when inthe pressing station may be manually accomplished, it is preferred thatthis be accomplished automatically, and means to that end are herespecifically disclosed. It is usually desired that a steam pressingoperation be carried out. To this end the movement of the die, with theflap attached, toward the pressing station automatically causes a jet ofsteam to be applied to the flap, thus conditioning the latter for thesubsequent pressing operation; v

As here specifically disclosed the pressing operation is manuallyinitiated, as by stepping upon a foot treadle or the like, and a timeris provided so that, when once initiated, the pressing operation willcontinue for a desired period of time and will then terminate.

. To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction ofa pressing machine as defined in the appended claims and asdescribed inthis specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. ,1 is a three-quarter perspective view of the machine of thepresent invention with the die shown in standby position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of Fig.-

.1, taken from the direction of the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan-view of the machine of Fig. 2 but with the die inthe pressing station;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the diewithdrawn from the pressing station and on its way to its normal standbyposition, the flap previously carried by the die being shown in thepressing station;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the die'showingthe manner in which the die is converted from large to small size; and

Fig. 7 is a three-quarter perspective view on a reduced scale of the diewith a flap applied thereto.

The machine comprises a support generally designated 2 and carrying atable 4 on which a pressing station 6 is provided, that pressing stationbeing defined between a fixed plate 8 which overlies the table 4 and apressure plate 10 thereunder which is adapted to move upwardly throughan aperture 12 in the table 4. Any suitable heating means, preferablyelectrical, is active on the pressure plate to maintain it at anelevated temperature. The die, generally designated 14, is mounted on acarriage 16 slidable along arm 18, which is pivotally mounted at 20adjacent that end of the table 4 opposite the pressing station 6, thedie 14 being movable from its standby or loading position shown in Figs.1 and 2, in which it is abovethe table 4 and beyond the pressing station6, to

3 an intermediate position (see Fig. 5) on the table 4 and beyond thepressing station 6, and then to a final delivery position (see Figs. 3and 4) in which it enters the pressing station 6. V

In order to bias the die 14 to its standby position ,a pair of stretchedsprings 22 are connected between the carriage 16 and an arm 24 securedto and extending rearwardiy from the arm 18, these springs thereforeurging the carriage 16 to a rearward position along :the arm 18 asviewed in Fig. 1. Extending downwardly from the rearwardly projectingend of the arm 24 is a hook 26, and a tension spring 28 is connectedbetween that hook 26 and a portion of the support 2,-the-.s pring 28being active to urge the arm 18 to pivoti upvvardly,;as best shown inFig. 2. The carriage 16 is provided with a handle 30 to facilitate itsmanual manipulation.

The carriage 16 has a mounting part 3 2;to whichGa plate 33 is fixedlysecured at one side thereof, that plate having an elongated slot 34extending therethrough. A plate 35, also provided with an elongated slot;34,,is pivotally mounted on the underside of the plate 32 at 44. Thedie 14, in the form here specifically disclosed, comprises a pair ofside plates 36 and 38. The plate 36 is secured to the plate 33, and isadjustably positionable relative thereto, by means of a clamping screw.40 which passes through the slot 34 in the plate'33-and which, whenscrewed down, clamps the plate 36, to the plate 33. The-position of theplate 36 may be adjusted to correspond to flaps of different sizes byvirtue ofthe position of the clamping screw 40 along therslot 3.4through which it passes. The plate 38 is secured to "the plate 35by theclamping screw 46 in a manner comparable tothat of plate 36. An ear 48extends 'rearwardly from plate 35 and is connected by means oftensionsspring 50 to an ear 52 forming. a part of the plate 33. Thespring 50 biases the plate 38 to pivot in acounter-cloekwise directionasviewed in Figs. 1, 6-and7. The plate 32 ;has-a' laterally projectingportion 54. Cam 56 isipositioned therebelow in engagement with the sideedge of the plate 35, is pivotally mounted about pin 58, and has anoutwardly projecting portion 60 to Whichhandle 62 is connected by meansof pin 64, the handle 62 and cam 56piv0ting as a unit about thepin 58.The shapeof the cam 56 is such that when it is moved to its forwardposition shown in solid lines in Fig. 6 it will permit the plate 38 topivot outwardly to a predetermined degree, and when 'the'cam 56 andhandle 62 are moved rear- Wardly, to their positions shown in Figsrl and3 and in the broken lines in Fig.6, the plate 38 will be forced inwardlythereby, pivoting in a-clo ckwise direction against the action of thespring 50. The cam 56 isfurther so designed as to function in anover-center manner so" that, when in either of its limiting positionsdescribed'ab ove, the pressure of the plate 38 thereon derived 'from thespring 50, will tend to'cause the cam 56 to remain in'that position. Itwill therefore be seen that when the handle 62 is in its forwardposition the plate 38 will move laterally away from the plate 36,-thuscausing the die 14 to have a predetermined width, and when the handle 46is moved to its rear position the plate 38 will be moved laterallytoward the plate 36, thus causing the overall Width of the .die 14to-decrease, the dietherefore assuming; a smaller size. I

The aperture 12in the table 4 is'of appreciablev width, and is locatedpartially under the plate 8 and partially therebeyond toward the rear ofthe table 4. The die'14 .is so positioned on the arm 18 when in itsnormal withdrawnposition as urged by the springs-22, that when the arm18'is pivoted downwardly at least the leading portion of, the plate 36and 38 assume-a position the reabove,.and consequently above thepressure plate whichsubstantiallyfills the opening 12 butis'freelymovable vertically therethrough. Springs 66 carried by crossbars 68 beneath the table 4 urge the'pressureplate "10 to a raised;position, bestshown in-Fig. -4,- toward but,

spaced from the plate 8. The pressing station 6 is defined between theplate 8 and that portion of the pressure plate 10 thereunder, and itwill be noted particularly from Figs. 4 and 5 that this pressing stationis provided with an open end 70 facing the rear portion of the table 4and an opposite open end 72 facing the front end of the table 4 andcommunicating with a table extension 74 from which a shelf 76 may besuspended.

The pressure platelt), is provided, on that portion thereof over whichthe die 14 is positioned, with a hole 78 to which a stream duct 80 isconnected, that duct in turn communicating with a suitable source ofsteam via normally closed valve 82 adapted to be actuated by solenoid84. The solenoid is in turn electrically connected to microswitch 86 theactuating button 88 of which extends up through a hole 90 in the tab-1e4 to one side of the die 14. A bracket 92 carries a pivotally mountedarm .;94 the end of whichispositioned over the button iSB a ndTWhich'isprovided withan extension 96. Thedie carriage 1 6 has an arm 98extending therefrom and carrying a roller 100 so positioned that whenthe die 14 ,is moved downwardly from its position shown in Figs.) and 3to its position shownin Fig. 5 the roller .1100 will engage theextension '96, and force the lever 94 down thereby depressing button 88,energizing solenoid :84Qopeningvalve 82, and causing a jet of steam toissue upwardly through the hole 78. When the ,die 14 reaches itslowermost-position, the roller 100'willhave passed ofifrom the extension96, the arm .94 will no longer depress thebutton 88, the valve 82 willclose, and the jetofjsteam will stop. Thusit will be seen that each timethat the die'14 is depressed a. jet of. steam of limited duration willemerge from thehole 78.

Means are providedfor urging the pressure plate 10 up jwardly withconsiderable force in'order to produce a pnessingoperation. ,-As:heredisclosed, that means coniprisessagpressure-pin'I02 adapted to engagethe'under- 'isider-of -the pressure plate -10-and carried-by arm 104pivotally 'mounted at 106 beneath'the table 4-and provided with spring108 active between it and the table 4 to tendto urge the arm 104 topivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5,- therebytowithdraw the pin..102 from thepressure plate 10. A second arm110.is-pivotally mounted beneath the table 4 at 112, is operativelyconnected to the arm 104 at 114, and is pro videdwith:a-spring-116tending to urge it topivot in a counter-clockwisedirection. A portion of the arm extends out beyond 'the front of thesupport 2, and is there connectedtoa chain-118 the other end of which issecured t'oa foot treadle or-hand lever 120 (see Fig. 2). Depending-fromthe"arm':110'is an arm 122 carrying a roller 124 at its lower end andurged by means of spring -126 towardjthe frontof the support 2,thatfront being provided'with a cutout 128 into which the roller 124 maybe received when the foot treadle 120 has been depressed.

A solenoid130 is'located opposite the cutout 128 and is raised standbyposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The

handle 62 is'rearwardly positioned, thus causingthe width of the die14'to'contract. The sheet to be pressed, generally "designated 141,and'here specifically disclosed in pouch 'frorn and comprising an upper.sheet 142 and a lowersheet 144 connected together along one long sideand two short. sides. is then fslinped vover the protruding portion"ofthe 'die 14,. is very easy to accomplish because with the width ofthe die contracted it issmaller than the interior of the sheet 141.After the sheet 141 is in proper position the handle 62is movedforwardly,.the die plate 38 moves away from the die plate 36,the-widthof the die increases, and the sheet 141 is thus held tautly on the die,the plates 36 and 38 having been previously positioned on the mountingpart 32 in order that this result is obtained. It may be noted atthispoint that because of the resilient mounting of the plate 38 the die 14will accommodate itself to variations in the size of individual sheets141, within limits, without requiring any readjustment on the carriage16.

Next the handle 30 is grasped and depressed. This brings the sheet 141directly over the steam hole 78 in the pressure plate and engagementbetween the roller 100 and the extension 96 on the arm 94 causes a jetof steam to be applied to the sheet 141.

When the die 14 has been depressed sufiiciently so that the sheet 141 isresting on the pressure plate 10, the handle 30 is then pulledforwardly, causing the carriage 16 to slide along the arm 18. Theleading portion of the die 14, on which is carried the sheet 141, thusenters the pressing station 6 through the open end 70 thereof. Justbefore the die 14 reaches its final position in this direction, a pin1-46 projecting up from the table '4 engages the outwardly protrudingportion 60 of the cam 56 and swings the cam 56, and with it the handle62, to its rear position, thus causing the plate 38 to move toward theplate 36 (see Fig. 3). As a result the sheet 141 is no longer taut onthe die 14. However, the springs 66 urge the pressure plate 10 upwardlywith suflicient force so that the sheet 141 is frictionally graspedbetween the pressure plate 10 and the plate 8. The sheet 141 willtherefore retain its shape even though the die 14 has contracted insize.

Next the handle 30 is pulled to the rear, withdrawing the die 14 fromthe pressing station 6. Because the sheet 141 is no longer tautlystretched thereon, and because the sheet 141 is frictionally grippedbetween the plate 8 and 10 by reason of the action of the springs 66,the

die 14 is retracted from the sheet 141, and that sheet 141' remains inthe pressing station 6. The springs 22 and 28 cause an automatic returnof the die14 to its standby position, and the die 14 is in its conditionof contracted size, ready to have another sheet 141 applied thereto.

The operator then depresses the foot treadle or hand lever 120 until theroller 124 enters the cutout 128, being urged there by spring 126. Whenthis happens the pressure pin 102 will urge the pressure plate 10upwardly with considerable force, and the sheet 141 will be pressed.When the arm 110 which aetuates the pressure pin 102 has been moved downto its position in Fig. 5 it will automatically engage button 138 ofswitch 136, closing the latter, and this will in turn close a circuit tothe solenoid 130 through the timer 140 which has been previously set forthe desired duration of the pressing operation. The circuit through thetimer 140 is normally open, the solenoid 130 therefore normally beingde-energized. Thus all that is necessary is for the operator to initiatethe pressing operation and then release pressure from the treadle orlever 120. The spring 126 will ensure that the pressing operation willcontinue for the desired period of time. When that time has elapsed thecircuit through the timer 140 will close, the solenoid 130 will beenergized, its armature 132 will be retracted, the roller 124 will bepulled out from the cutout 128 against the action of the spring 126, andthe action of the springs 108 nad 116, which have been tensioned duringthe pressing operation, will cause the arms 104 and 110 to resume theirpositions shown in Fig. 4, thus withdrawing the pressure pin 102 fromthe pressure plate 10 and terminating the pressing operation.

It will be appreciated that once the pressing operation has beeninitiated the operator can thereafter turn his undivided attention tothe application of a new sheet 141 onto the die 14, followed bymanipulation of the handle 62 to expand the die 14 and hold the newsheet 141 taut.

As soon as the pressing operation has terminated the sequence ofoperations above described is repeated. As the new sheet 141, carried bythe 'die 14, is inserted into the pressing station 6 it will engage thepreviously pressed sheet 141 and force it out of the pressing stationthrough the opening 72 thereof and onto the table part 74, where it isavailable for inspection. If it appears to be in proper conditionnothing further need be done, and upon the next succeeding operation thesheet 141 next ejected from the pressing station 6 will force the firstpressed sheet 141 beyond the table portion 74 and onto the shelf 76,where completed and properly pressed sheets will stack up in conditionfor removal. If inspection of the sheet 141 on the table portion 74indicates improper pressing, the sheet 141 may be manually takentherefrom and re-pressed.

It will be seen from the above that the machine of the present inventionis not only sturdy and simple, but also automatic and substantiallyfoolproof. It produces better pressing than machines previously used forthis purpose because the flaps or sheets are pressed with the diesremoved therefrom, and in addition permits more rapid production,because the die is available for the application thereto of a new sheetwhile the pressing operation on the preceding sheet is taking place, andrnore eonvenient production, because the die is not subjected to heatduring the pressing operation and because its size may be varied tofacilitate the application of sheets thereto.

While but a single embodiment of the present invention is heredisclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may be made therein,all within the scope of the instant invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A pressing device for a sheet comprising a support, a pair of spacedoverlying plates thereon defining therebetween a pressing station, amember articulately mounted on said support having a portion adapted tocarry said sheet, said member being movable between a first positionbeyond said pressing station and a second position in which said portionis received between said plates at said pressing station, said memberportion being variable in size between a large size efiective to holdsaid sheet taut and a smaller size, means carried by said member andoperatively connected to said portion to controllably vary the sizethereof, and means operatively connected to said member portion,sensitive to the position of said member relative to said support, andeffective to cause said member portion to assume its smaller size whensaid member is in its second position.

2. The pressing device of claim 1, in which said pressing station isopen at opposite ends, said member entering said pressing stationthrough one end thereof, the other end thereof serving as an ejectionopening for a pressed sheet.

3. The pressing device of claim 1, the space between said plates beingso related to the thickness of said member portion as to adapt saidplates to frictionally engage the sheet carried by said member portion.

4. The pressing device of claim 3, in which said pressing station isopen at opposite ends, said member entering said pressing stationthrough one end thereof, the

other end thereof serving as an ejection opening for a pressed sheet.

5. In the pressing device of claim 1, means for admitting steam adjacentsaid pressing station, control means for stopping and starting theadmission of steam thereto, and an interlock between said member andsaid control means effective to start and then stop said admission ofsteam as said member moves to its second position.

6. The pressing device of claim 5, in which said control means comprisesa valve, a solenoid operatively connected thereto, and a switchoperatively connected to -7 said solenoid and controllingthe-energization thereof, andin which said interlock-comprises anelement carried by said member and operatively engageable with saidswitch.

7. The pressing device ofclaim l,-in which said pressing station has anopen end,-said member being mounted on said supportbeyond said open 'endso ias,'inits '-first position, to be above said plates, said member-;being movable downwardly from its first position to an intermediateposition opposite said 'open end and then being movablesubstantiallyhorizoirtdlly'to itsse-eond position. 8. In the pressingdevice of claim 7, r'neans operatively connected to' said member andbiasing it to its position above said plates, and means operativelyconnected to said member'andbiasing it away from said open end of :said'pressing station.

' 9; A pressing device for a sheet-comprising a'support, a carriermember articulately mounted thereon over which said sheet is adapted tobe placed, pressing means on said support having a first open end facingSaidme'mber and a 'second open end opposite said-first-open-end andcommunicating therewith via a passage through which said sheets canpass, said carrier rnemoer'be'ing movable from a first position remotefrom said pressingm'eans to a second position passing through saidffirstopen end and into'said pressing means, said pressing means-beingeifective to frictionally engage the sheet carried by said carriermember, whereby when said carrier memb'eris withdrawn from saidpressingmeans .the shectcarried thereby will remain Within said pressingmeans, -subsequent introduction of sheets into said pressing meanscausingthe ejection of previously introduced sheets via said passage andsaid second open end.

10. The pressing device of claim'9,--in which the size ofsaid'carrier'rnember is variable between a larger size eifective to holdsaid sheet taut thereon and a-smaller size.

"11. The pressing device of claim 9, in which the size of said carriermemberis variable between a larger size effective to hold said sheettaut thereon and a smaller size, and means for causing said carriermember to assume said smaller size whenit is in its second position.

12. A pressing device for a sheet comprising a support, 'a pair ofspaced overlying plates thereon defining therebetween a pressingstation, a member articulately mounted .on said supportrhaving a portionadapted tocarry said sheet, said member beingimovablegbetween a firstposition beyond said pres'sing'station and a second position :in whichsaid portion is received between said plates at said pressing station,said member portion being variable in sizebetwcenalarge size effectiveto hold said .sh'eettaut andla'smaller size, means for admitting steamadjacent said pressing station, control means for stopping'and starting.theadmission of steam thereto, and an interlockbetween saidmember andsaid control means effective to start and then stop said admission ofsteam as said member moves Ito ,its second position.

13. A pressing device for .a sheet comprising asupport, apair .of spacedoverlying plates thereon defining therebetween a pressing station, a.member articulately mounted on said supporthavin-g a portion adaptedtocarry said sheet,:said;member being movablehbetween a first positionbeyond saidpressing station and a second position in which said portionis received between said plates at said pressing station, said memberportion. being variablein sizebetweena large size eifective to hold saidsheet tautand .a smaller size, means carried by saidmemberandope'ratively connected to said portion to controllably'vary;thesize thereof, said pressing station having an opencnd said'member being:mounted onsaid support beyond" said' open 'end'so as, in its firstposition, to,be,above saidplates, said .memberbeing movable downwardly:fromxitsfirstJ osition to an intermediate. position opposite said openend and then being movable substantially;horizontallyto its secondposition.

14, ,.In :the pressing device of-claim' 13, means'operativelyc'onnectedto said me'mberand biasing it toitspositionabove.saidplates and means operatively connected to saidmember and biasing it away frornsaid open end of said pressing; station.

References-Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS1,975,674 -Woodward et al Oct. 2,1934 2,619,267 Voigt' Nov. 25, 19522,673,666 Silverni'an Mar. 30, 1954 2,804,244 -Hunt Aug. 27, 1957

